The Campbell Reporter

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Former mayor leaves his imprint on the community

By Cathy Weselby

Russell "Rusty" Hammer, 54, died from acute leukemia on Jan. 28 after what was almost literally a lifetime of service to the Campbell community.

Hammer was elected councilman in 1972 at age 18, upsetting an incumbent, and served on the council until 1982. He became mayor at in 1975 at age 21, and was the youngest mayor in the history of the United States, making national news.

Campbell Mayor Don Burr remembers Hammer as an "enthusiastic, exuberant and bright young man."

"When he made up his mind to do something, he did it," Burr said. "Even though he was younger, I saw him as a mentor and someone you could derive lots of ideas from."

Hammer was diagnosed with acute leukemia in 2003, but despite his terminal condition, he stayed focused on helping others.

Karen Storey, executive director of The Wellness Community Silicon Valley board, said the first word that comes to mind about Hammer was "driven."

"In the 41Ž2 years that he battled cancer, he kept going despite the pain--he was bound and determined to keep going no matter what," Storey said. "Two weeks before he died, he gave a talk about his book, and I'm sure that the people in the audience didn't know just how sick he was, which is a testament to his drive."

Hammer wrote When Cancer Calls, Say Yes to Life: One Man's Journey Through Leukemia and was actively working with his wife Pamela, Karen Storey and her husband, Steve Tedesco, to open The Wellness Community Silicon Valley.

The nonprofit center will offer free support and education to cancer patients and their loved ones in a non-clinical environment.

In a letter that he wrote that was shared posthumously, Hammer said, "I hope that the time I spent in public service for most of my life, whether in politics or the Chamber world, did some good for people. I specifically cherish Campbell because it gave me my start at a young age when it probably should not have. It gave a young boy the opportunity to show what he could do and I hope that my record there has left a positive imprint."

Hammer is survived by his wife Pamela; daughter Jennifer; son Gerald; brothers Lee, of Foster City, and Mark, of New Jersey.

Services have been held. Memorial contributions can be made to The Wellness Center Silicon Valley at www.svwellness.org.

Emilie Crofton contributed to this story.